System and method of dental implant and interface to abutment for restoration

ABSTRACT

A dental assembly for vertical attachment of an implant to a dental abutment for restorative dental procedures is disclosed. The implant includes a cylindrical body having an interior bore formed between a distal end and a proximal end. An abutment interface is formed on the proximal end of the cylindrical body. The interface includes a radial annular interior surface and a flat annular stop surface circumferentially bordering the interior bore. The assembly also includes an abutment including a stem and a post coupled to the stem. An interior bore is formed through the stem and the post. The abutment includes an interface section between the post and the stem. The interface section may include an annular radially curved exterior surface proximate to the post. The radially curved exterior surface and the circular flat surface interfaces with the abutment interface of the dental implant.

PRIORITY CLAIM AND CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/502,091, filed on Jun. 28, 2011 which is incorporated herein itsentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to restorative dental implants and abutments andrelated tools for the assembly and disassembly of the same.

BACKGROUND

Single tooth restorations present the unique requirement that they mustbe supported non-rotationally on an underlying abutment. When a preparednatural tooth is the underlying abutment, this requirement is met in thenormal course of preparing the abutment with a non-circularcross-section. Likewise, when the underlying abutment is a post fittedonto an implant, this requirement is met by preparing the post with anoncircular cross-section. This latter scenario can be more complicateddue to the added connection between the implant and the abutment.

Typically, a dental implant is implanted into the bone of a patient'sjaw and comprises a socket, e.g., a bore, which is accessible throughthe overlying or surrounding gum tissue for receiving and supporting oneor more attachments or components which, in turn, are useful tofabricate and support the prosthodontic restoration. Dental implantprocedures may use a variety of implanting modalities, for example,blade, threaded implant, or smooth push-in implant.

While numerous design iterations have been marketed, overall there havebeen three generations of the implant-abutment interface within theseassemblies: an external hex implant, an internal connection implant, anda vertical connection assembly. The external hexagonal implant designhas a hexagonal shape (or another anti-rotation feature) protruding outof the implant and the corresponding abutment has a female hexagonalreceptacle. There is a surface below the hexagonal protrusion on whichthe abutment is seated. The hexagonal protrusion acts to constrain theabutment from rotating around the longitudinal axis as well aspreventing movement on the plane coincident with the implant seatingsurface. Unfortunately, such an interface has virtually no stabilityuntil the screw is introduced and fully seated between the abutment andthe implant. The screw is essentially the sole component resistingbending forces.

In contrast, the internal connection implant design has a hexagonalfemale member (or other anti-rotation feature) extruded into theimplant, and the corresponding abutment has a male hexagonal protrusion.The abutment is seated on the same surface as the external hexagonaldesign, the only difference being that the anti-rotation feature on theimplant is located below this surface. The benefit of this system isthat it has intrinsic stability without the screw, and then experiencesincreased stability once the screw is introduced and fully seated. Thesystem responds in a more unified manner to bending forces. While thissystem has advantages over the external hex implant, the disadvantage(which applies to the external hex as well) is that it is prone to leakat the implant-abutment interface (seating surface) due to “lifting” ofthe abutment under load that may create an intermittent gap resulting inbacteria penetration and subsequent crestal bone loss.

Another alternative interface is an internal/vertical connection implantassembly where the abutment sits “vertically” within the implantassembly and is supported by the internal sidewalls. In addition to thisvertically interfacing aspect, many abutments contain a maleanti-rotation feature at the bottom and the corresponding implants havea female receptacle (similar to the internal connection implant design).The main benefits of this design are that the two components effectivelywedge together, creating a seal impenetrable to bacteria and theabutment receives added lateral support from the implant due tointeraction of the abutment sidewalls with the interior surfaces of theimplant. However, such designs suffer from vertical locationvariability. The accuracy of the fit of the final implant restoration(i.e., crown) is largely dependent on the ability to reliably transferthe location of the implant throughout the multiple steps involved infabricating the restoration. The currently marketed vertical connectionimplant systems are susceptible to significant vertical locationvariability, and subsequent customer dissatisfaction. Locationvariability is undetectable until the very last step in the restorativeprocess when the patient receives their restoration where it becomesapparent the restoration is too high or too low relative to the originaltooth. For example, due to the required manufacturing tolerances, eachtime an abutment (or other male part) is mated with an implant (or otherfemale part) the initial vertical position is destined to change.Further, once the parts are mated and torque is applied to the screwattaching the abutment to the implant, there is relative motion (orvertical displacement) between the male and female components. Themagnitude of this motion is dependent on multiple variables, includingbut not limited to the screw torque, the surface finishes, and thecomponent specifications.

Known vertical implant systems therefore still allow the lateralmovement of the abutment in relation to the implant thus causing thepossibility of misalignment. It would be desirable to have an abutmentimplant interface that eliminates vertical location variability. As thevertical connection implant assembly becomes accepted, it is necessaryto develop a system that maintains the benefits of this type of design,yet eliminates the known vertical location variability problem. It wouldalso be desirable for a system to create seals between the abutment andimplant. The increase in seals in a contemplated system may result inadhesion between the implant and the abutment. Therefore it would bedesirable for a removal system to assist in the removal of an abutmentthat adheres to an implant due to an improved interface.

BRIEF SUMMARY

An aspect of the present disclosure is an abutment for use inconjunction with a dental implant. The abutment includes a stem and apost opposite of the stem. An interior bore is formed through the stemand the post. An interface section is formed between the post and thestem. The interface section has an annular radially curved exteriorsurface proximate to the post. The annular radially curved exteriorsurface interfaces with the dental implant.

Another disclosed aspect is a dental implant for use in conjunction withan abutment. The implant includes a cylindrical body having an interiorbore formed between a distal end and a proximal end. An abutmentinterface is located on the proximal end of the cylindrical body. Theinterface includes a radial annular interior surface bordering theinterior bore. An anti-rotational cavity is formed in the interior boreproximal to the interface.

Another disclosed aspect is a dental restoration system including anabutment and an implant. The implant attaches to a jaw bone of apatient. The implant includes a cylindrical body having an interior boreformed between a distal end and a proximal end. An abutment interface islocated on the proximal end of the cylindrical body. The interfaceincludes a radial annular interior surface circumferentially borderingthe interior bore. An anti-rotational cavity is formed in the interiorbore proximal to the interface. The abutment includes a stem and a postopposite the stem. An interior bore is formed through the stem and thepost. An interface section is located between the post and the stem. Theinterface section has an annular radially curved exterior surfaceproximate to the post. The radially curved exterior surface interfaceswith the abutment interface of the dental implant.

Another aspect of the disclosure is an abutment for use in conjunctionwith a dental implant. The abutment includes a stem and a post oppositethe stem. An interior bore is formed through the stem and the post. Aninterface section is located between the post and the stem. Theinterface section has an exterior surface proximate to the post. Theexterior surface terminates into a circular flat surface. The postextends from the circular flat surface. An annular groove is cut intothe circular flat surface to allow compliant fit of the interfacesection with a mating interface surface of the implant.

The foregoing and additional aspects and implementations of the presentdisclosure will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art inview of the detailed description of various embodiments and/or aspects,which is made with reference to the drawings, a brief description ofwhich is provided next.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other advantages of the present disclosure will becomeapparent upon reading the following detailed description and uponreference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an implant and abutment dentalrestoration system including an implant, an abutment, an insert screw,an implant driver, a removal tool, and a removal tool screw;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the dental implant with a verticalabutment interface shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is a side view of the implant shown in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is a cross-section side view of the implant shown in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2D is a view of the distal end of the implant shown in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the abutment with a vertical implantinterface shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3B is a side view of the abutment shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a cross-section side view of the abutment shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3D is a front view of the abutment shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A-B are perspective side cutaway views of the initial contact andfinal contact between abutment and implant in FIG. 1 when seating theabutment in the implant;

FIG. 4C-4E are side cutaway views of seating an alternate abutment in analternate implant with a stop member for vertical location;

FIG. 5A-C are side cutaway views of the contacts between the abutmentand implant in FIG. 1 in the process of seating the abutment in theimplant;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an alternate design for the abutmentwith a groove in the interface to facilitate fit into an implant;

FIG. 6B is a side view of the abutment shown in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6C is a cross-section side view of the abutment shown in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6D is a close up perspective view of the groove on the alternatedesign for the abutment shown in FIG. 6A

FIG. 7A is a side view of the alternate abutment design in FIG. 6A incontact with an implant;

FIG. 7B is a stress diagram of the abutment in FIG. 6A in contact withthe implant;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the implant driver tool shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 8B is a side view of the implant driver tool shown in FIG. 8A;

FIG. 8C is a close up view of the implant driver tool shown in FIG. 8Ashowing the members of the tip;

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the abutment removal tool screw shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 9B is a side view of the abutment removal tool screw shown in FIG.9A;

FIG. 9C is a front view of the abutment removal tool screw shown in FIG.9A;

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the abutment removal tool insert shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 10B is a side view of the abutment removal tool insert shown inFIG. 10A;

FIG. 10C is a cross-section side view of the abutment removal toolinsert shown in FIG. 10A;

FIG. 10D is a front view of the abutment removal tool insert shown inFIG. 10A;

FIG. 10E is a back view of the abutment removal tool insert shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 11A-E are steps of the process of using the abutment removal toolimplant and implant driver in FIG. 1 in separating the abutment from theinsert;

FIG. 12A is a perspective view of an alternate implant driver tool witha friction fit tapered nose;

FIG. 12B is a close up view of the implant driver tool shown in FIG. 12Ashowing the fiction fit tapered nose of the tip;

FIG. 12C is a close up view of the implant driver tool shown in FIG. 12Ashowing the fit taper nose with a bore;

FIG. 12D is a front view of the tip of the taper nose in FIG. 12C;

FIG. 13A is a perspective view of an alternate implant driver tool;

FIG. 13B is a side view of the implant driver tool shown in FIG. 13A;

FIG. 13C is a close up view of the implant driver tool shown in FIG. 13Ashowing the members of the tip; and

FIG. 13D is a front cross-section view of the tip of the implant drivertool shown in FIG. 13A from the perspective of the lines 13D-13D′ inFIG. 13C.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way ofexample in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. Itshould be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to belimited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is tocover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the implant and abutmentinstallation system 100 including an implant 102, an abutment 104, anabutment screw 106, and an implant driver tool 108. FIG. 1 also shows aremoval system for the abutment 104 including an abutment removal inserttool 110, and an abutment removal tool screw 112. The components shownin FIG. 1 are used in dental restorative processes. As is known, theimplant 102 is implanted into the bone of a patient's jaw. The implantdriver tool 108 is used to fix the implant 102 into the bone. Theabutment 104 may be a standard part or customized to replace thepatient's tooth and is attached to the implant 102. The abutment 104 isfixed to the implant 102 via the abutment screw 106, which may beinstalled via a screw driver tool. In cases where the abutment 104 mustbe removed from the implant 102 and cannot be readily removed by hand(after the abutment screw 106 is removed), the abutment removal inserttool 110 is used in conjunction with the removal tool screw 112 toremove the abutment 104 without displacing and or rotating the implant102.

The implant 102 is further detailed in FIGS. 2A-2D where FIG. 2A is aperspective view of the implant 102, FIG. 2B is a side view of theimplant 102, FIG. 2C is a cross-section side view of the implant 102,and FIG. 2D is a view of the distal end of the implant 102. The implant102 comprises a proximal end 202, a distal end 204 opposite the proximalend 202 and at least one thread 206 disposed therebetween for screwingthe implant 102 into the bone of a patient. The proximal end 202includes an interface 208 adapted to guide the abutment 104 in FIG. 1when seating the abutment 104 in the implant 102. The implant 102 alsoincludes an interior bore 210 that extends distally from the proximalend 202 toward the distal end 204. The interior bore 210 includes afirst anti-rotation cavity 214 and a second anti-rotation cavity 216distal of the first anti-rotation cavity 214. The interface 208 isconcentrically located around the interior bore 210 and is proximal tothe first anti-rotation cavity 214. A counter bore 212 is formed betweenthe two cavities 214 and 216.

As shown in detail in FIG. 2C, the two cavities 214 and 216 areseparate, distinct and slightly spaced apart, and are connected with aseries of concentric steps including the counter bore 212. Otherarrangements, however, are equally suitable, such as, for example, wherethe cavities are adjacent with a tapered transition, or spaced apart andconnected by one or more cavities. As will be explained below, thecounter bore 212 is fabricated at a narrower diameter than the firstcavity 214 to assist in fixing an implant driver tool such as theimplant driver tool 108 in FIG. 1 to the implant 102.

Focusing on FIGS. 2C and 2D, the first anti-rotation cavity 214 ofimplant 102 includes a multi-sided socketed interior surface 220. Thesocketed interior surface 220 has a plurality of obtuse interior anglesin a double hexagonal shape, but other socket shapes may be used. Thesecond anti-rotation cavity 216 includes a threaded interior surface 222that accepts the abutment screw 106 in FIG. 1.

For some applications, at least one of the anti-rotation cavities 214and 216 is adapted to mate with a conventional driving tool, forexample, a tool with a working end comprising a square, a pentagon, ahexagon, an octagon, etc. Some tools are described in detail such as theimplant driver tool 108 shown in detail in FIGS. 8A-8C and the implantdriver tool 1200 shown in detail in FIGS. 12A-12B. The cavities 214 or216 may also be used to hold the abutment 104. However, the other cavitymay be adapted to mate with an abutment stem having a predeterminedshape other than the cavity that holds the driving tool.

The interface 208 is cylindrically shaped having an interior surfaceending in a radially curved annular inner surface 230 proximate thefirst anti-rotation cavity 214. The annular inner surface 230transitions to a flat circular vertical stop surface 232 that bordersthe first cavity 214. As will be explained below, the radially curvedinner surface 230 and the vertical stop surface 232 function to guidethe abutment 104 and prevent vertical location variability of theabutment 104 relative to the implant 102. The contact of the innersurface 230 and the vertical stop surface 232 of the interface 208 alsoform seals to prevent gaps in the interface between the implant 102 andthe abutment 104.

FIG. 3A-3D are views of the abutment 104 shown in FIG. 1 where FIG. 3Ais a perspective view of the abutment 104, FIG. 3B is a side view of theabutment 104, FIG. 3C is a cross-section side view of the abutment 104,and FIG. 3D is a front view of the abutment 104. The abutment 104comprises a post 302 and a stem 304 extending in a relative downwarddirection from the post 302. The stem 304 includes a locking portion 306adapted to be positioned in the first anti-rotation cavity 214 when theabutment 104 is positioned in the implant 102. Accordingly, the lockingportion 306 has a multi-sided exterior surface 308 that is adapted torotationally-lockingly engage the interior multi-sided socketed surface220 of the first anti-rotation cavity 214 in FIG. 2C, wherein theabutment 104 is prevented from rotating relative to the implant 102.

The abutment 104 includes a transitional section 310 between the post302 and the stem 304. The transitional section 310 is roughly conical inshape with a larger end connected to the post 302 and an oppositesmaller end connected to the stem 304. The smaller end of thetransitional section 310 mates with the interface 208 of the implant 102in FIGS. 2A-2D. The transitional section 310 includes an outer surfacethat has a curved shape from the larger end with the larger diameterclosest to the post 302 to the opposite end with a smaller diameterconnected to the stem 304. A radially shaped annular outer surface 320terminates at the smaller end of the transitional section 310. The outersurface 320 forms a circular vertical stop surface 322 forming thebottom of the transitional section 310 from which the stem 304protrudes. The circular vertical stop surface 322 includes a circulargroove 324 that is cut into the transitional section 310. The circulargroove 324 in this example is cut to a depth of approximately 0.012inches. The circular groove 324 may be cut to a depth of 0.010 to 0.020inches or deeper or shallower if desired.

In the abutment 104, a through-bore 326 extends through the post 302,the stem 304, and the transitional section 310 to allow the abutmentscrew 106 shown in FIG. 1 to be inserted therein. The abutment screw 106is inserted into the through-bore 326 in the abutment 104 to threadablyengage the threads of the interior surface 222 of the implant 102 asshown in FIG. 2C. The through-bore 326 also includes a groove 328 thatis formed to roughly mate with the abutment removal insert tool 110 aswill be explained below.

In FIG. 1, the abutment screw 106 includes a screw head adapted to matewith a driving tool (not shown) with a screw head such as an Allenwrench, a square driver, a flat head screwdriver, a Phillipsscrewdriver, etc. After the abutment 104 is placed in the implant 102,the abutment screw 106 is inserted in the through-bore 326 of theabutment 104 and the cavity 216 of the implant 102. The driving tool isused to tighten the abutment screw 106 by engaging the threaded interiorsurface 222 of the cavity 216. After the abutment screw 106 threadablyengages the implant 102, the abutment screw 106 acts to retain theabutment 104 in the implant 102.

The combination of the radially shaped annular outer surface 320 and thevertical stop surface 322 allows for a seal between abutment 104 and theimplant 102. The vertical stop surface 322 prevents vertical locationvariability of the abutment 104 relative to the implant 102. Theinsertion of the abutment 104 in the implant 102 may be shown withreference to FIGS. 4A-4B and 5A-5C. FIGS. 4A-4B are perspective sidecutaway views of the initial contact and final contact between abutment104 and implant 102 in FIG. 1 while FIG. 5A-C are side cutaway views ofthe contacts between the abutment 104 and implant 102 in the process oflocating the abutment 104 on the implant 102. For convenience ofillustration, the groove 324 has been omitted from FIGS. 4A-4B and FIG.5C. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 5A, the radially shaped outer surface 320is inserted into the interface 208 of the implant 102 when the stem 304is inserted in the cavity 214. The radially shaped outer surface 320initially contacts the radially curved inner surface 230 of theinterface 208. The abutment 104 is inserted into the implant 102 untilthe vertical stop surface 322 contacts the flat vertical stop surface232 bordering the cavity 214 as shown in FIGS. 4B and 5B.

The radial interface 322 and the vertical stop surface 232 eliminatelocation variability from abutment 104 being seated in the implant 102.As may be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the vertical stop surface 232 of theimplant 102 is connected to the radially curved inner surface 230. Allthe components in the restorative process requiring vertical locationcontrol use the vertical stop surface 232 for vertical location, sothere is no error accumulated throughout the restorative process usingthe implant 102 and the abutment 104. During the restorative processinvolving the fabrication of the abutment 104, there is no contact withthe radially curved sidewalls of the surface 320 for certain componentsbecause no seal is required. This is achieved in intermediate steps ofthe restorative process for these components by removing the radialinterface on intermediate components such as the impression coping andthe implant analog, thus ensuring that the abutment 104 contacts thevertical stop in the final assembly and prevent distortions fromsidewall contact when using the intermediate components. Thus, theradially curved inner surface 230 of the implant 102 interfaces with theradially shaped outer surface 320 of the abutment 104, but the verticalposition of the finish location is controlled by the radial interface322 in contact with the vertical stop surface 232. This interfaceresults in a first radial seal on the radially shaped outer surface 320of the abutment 104 in contact with the radially curved inner surface230 of the implant 102 as shown in FIG. 5C. A second horizontal seal onthe bottom of the transitional section 310 is formed via the contact ofthe radial interface 322 of the abutment 104 with the vertical stopsurface 232 of the implant 102.

The radial interface 322 and the vertical stop surface 232 shown in FIG.4A-4B and FIG. 5A-5C may be used with non-curved interfaces. FIG. 4Cshows an implant 400 with a standard conical interface having a verticalstop surface 402 contacting an abutment 450. FIG. 4D is a close up viewof the interface between the implant 400 and the abutment 450 prior toconnection of the components while FIG. 4E is a close up view of theinterface between the implant 400 and the abutment 450 when a seal hasbeen established. The abutment 450 has a radial interface 452 thatprovides contact with the vertical stop surface 402. The vertical stopsurface 402 eliminates location variability from the abutment 450 beingseated in the implant 400. In this example, the abutment 450 has astandard conical interface surface 454 while the implant has a conicalinner surface 404. As may be seen in FIGS. 4C and 4E, the vertical stopsurface 402 of the implant 400 is connected to the conical inner surface404. All the components in the restorative process requiring verticallocation control use the vertical stop surface 402 for verticallocation, so there is no error accumulated throughout the restorativeprocess using the implant 400 and the abutment 450. During therestorative process involving the fabrication of the abutment 450, thereis no contact with the conical surface 454 for certain componentsbecause no seal is required. This is achieved in intermediate steps ofthe restorative process for these components by removing the radialinterface on intermediate components such as the impression coping andthe implant analog, thus ensuring that the abutment 450 contacts thevertical stop surface 402 of the implant 400 in the final assembly andprevent distortions from sidewall contact when using the intermediatecomponents. Thus, the conical inner surface 402 of the implant 400interfaces with the conical surface 454 of the abutment 450, but thevertical position of the finish location is controlled by the verticalstop 402. A seal on the bottom of the transitional section of theabutment 450 is formed via the contact of the radial interface 452 ofthe abutment 450 with the vertical stop surface 402 of the implant 400.In this example, the angle of the conical inner surface 402 of theimplant 400 is approximately 16 degrees while the angle of conicalsurface 454 of the abutment 450 is approximately 20 degrees. The lateralforces are concentrated at the top edge of the implant 400 on theconical inner surface 404 in order to aid in seating the abutment 450 inthe implant 400. The contact between the conical inner surface 404 andthe conical interface surface 454 also create another seal in additionto the seal between the radial interface 452 against the vertical stopsurface 402.

A further benefit of better compliance is realized via the groove 324 onthe abutment 104 shown in detail in FIGS. 3A-3D. The groove 324 allows amore compliant interface of the abutment 104 with the implant 102. Dueto the groove 324, the interface formed by the radially curved surface320 of the transitional section 310 has built in flexibility to compressinto the groove 324 to allow the radially curved surface 320 to betterconform to the radially curved inner surface 230 of the implant 102 andin turn increase the seal contact area between the abutment 104 and theimplant 102. This flexibility is achieved by removing material from thecross-section of transitional section 310 of the abutment 104 to formthe groove 324. Further, because the abutment 104 is compliant with theimplant 102, the design may be manufactured more robustly, as the systemwill work under a wider range of tolerance configurations.

The use of a groove such as the groove 324 shown in FIG. 3A-D in theinterface of the abutment 104 may be used with conventional interfacesfor vertical implant connection of abutments to any implant similar tothe implant 102 in FIG. 1. For example, FIGS. 6A-6D are views of anabutment 600 having a conventional conical tapered interface but usingthe groove feature. FIG. 6A is a perspective view for the abutment 600with a groove into the interface to the implant, FIG. 6B is a side viewof the abutment 600 shown in FIG. 6A, FIG. 6C is a cross-section sideview of the abutment 600 shown in FIG. 6A, and FIG. 6D is a close upperspective view of the groove on the alternate design for the abutment600 shown in FIG. 6A.

The abutment 600 comprises a post 602 and a stem 604 extending in arelative downward direction from the post 602. The stem 604 includes alocking portion 606 adapted to be positioned in the first anti-rotationcavity 214 of the implant 102 when the abutment 104 is positioned in theimplant 102. The locking portion 606 has a multi-sided exterior surface608 that is adapted to rotationally-lockingly engage an interiormulti-sided socketed surface such as the surface 220 of the firstanti-rotation cavity 214 in FIG. 2C, wherein the abutment 600 isprevented from rotating relative to the implant.

The abutment 600 includes a transitional section 610 between the post602 and the stem 604. The transitional section 610 mates with anexterior surface of the implant. The transitional section 610 includesan outer surface that generally slopes from a greater diameter closestto the post 602 to a smaller diameter close to the stem 604. A conicallyshaped outer surface 620 terminates into a circular vertical stopsurface 622. The circular vertical stop surface 622 includes a circulargroove 624. The circular groove 624 permits built in flexibility toallow the abutment 600 to better conform to the corresponding shapedinner surface of the implant and in turn increase the seal contact areabetween the abutment 600 and the implant.

FIG. 7A is a side view of the abutment 600 in FIG. 6A in contact with animplant 700 and FIG. 7B is a stress diagram of the abutment 600 incontact with the implant 700. In this example, the implant 700 issimilar to the implant 102, except that the implant 700 has aconventional conical interface surface 702. As may be seen in FIGS. 7Aand 7B, a further benefit of better compliance is realized via thegroove 624 on the abutment 600 which has a conventional conicalinterface surface 610. The inset portion of FIG. 7A is an extreme closeup of the groove 624 cut into the transitional section 610. The groove624 allows a more compliant interface of the abutment 600 with theimplant 700. Due to the groove 624, the interface formed by theconically shaped outer surface 620 of the transitional section 610 hasbuilt in flexibility to compress into the groove 624 to allow theconically shaped outer surface 620 to better conform to the conicallysloped interface inner surface 702 of the implant 700 and in turnincrease the seal contact area between the abutment 600 and the implant700. This flexibility is achieved by removing material from thecross-section of transitional section 610 of the abutment 600 to formthe groove 624. Further, because the abutment is compliant with theimplant 700, the design may be manufactured more robustly, as the systemwill work under a wider range of tolerance configurations. FIG. 7B showscompressive areas of stress 710 which are compressed from the conicalsidewall 702 of the implant 700 pushing into the conically shaped outersurface 620 of the abutment 600.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the implant driver tool 108 shown inFIG. 1 and FIG. 8B is a side view of the implant driver tool 108. Theimplant driver tool 108 is adapted to mate with the first anti-rotationcavity 214 of the implant 102. When the implant driver tool 108 is matedwith the implant 102, the driver tool 108 may be rotated to drive thethreaded exterior surface 206 of the implant 102 into the bone. Theimplant driver tool 108 includes a first end 800 and a working end 802that is adapted to fit within the bore 210 of the implant 102 in FIG.2C. The first end 800 is a grip section that includes a wrench interface804 that is spaced from a conical transition section 806 to form anannular groove 808. A resilient ring, such as an O-ring 810, is seatedin the annular groove 808 to help retain the implant driver tool 108 inproper engagement with a torque wrench. The implant driver tool 108 hasa shaft 812 having a proximal end coupled to the grip section of thefirst end 800 and a distal end that forms the working end 802. Thedistal end of the shaft 812 includes a hexagonal male geometry driversection 820 adapted to mate with the socketed interior surface 220 ofthe anti-rotation cavity 214 of the implant 102. The contact between thedriver section 820 and the socketed interior surface 220 of the implant102 allows the transition of torque force from the driver tool 108 tothe implant 102.

The wrench interface 804 of the implant driver tool 108 in this examplehas a four sided exterior surface to interface with a torque wrench thatmay be used to provide torque to turn the implant driver tool 108 andthereby the implant 102 to engage the threads on the exterior surface206 with the bone to seat the implant 102. In order to maintain sterileconditions, the implant 102 is generally packed in a sterile package.The driver section 820 includes an end that is inserted in the bore 210of the implant 102 to allow a user to hold the combined driver tool 108and attached implant 102. The user may therefore use the implant drivertool 108 to move the implant 102 into the desired location in the bonewithout contacting the implant 102. FIG. 8C is a close up view of theend of the driver section 820 of the implant driver tool 108 shown inFIG. 8A showing a series of circumferential tips 822 extending from theexterior edge of the driving portion 820 of the working end 802. Thediameter of the tips 822 in FIG. 8C are aligned with the counter bore212 in the implant 102 to provide frictional contact thereby fixing thedriver tool 108 to the implant 102.

The seal created by the interface 208 of the implant 102 with theabutment 104 creates the possibility of binding the abutment 104 to theimplant 102 once assembled. In certain circumstances, such asreplacement due to damage to the restoration, the abutment 104 requiresremoval from the implant 102. In some cases, the abutment 104 adheres tothe implant 102 due to the sealing surfaces of the interface and cannotbe removed manually. The abutment removal tool components 110 and 112may then be used to insure that the abutment 104 may be removed withoutdamaging or displacing the implant 102 if the abutment 104 remainsadhered to the implant 102. As will be explained below, the abutmentremoval tool screw 112 is used in conjunction with the abutment removalinsert tool 110 to engage the groove 328 within the through bore 326 ofthe abutment 104 as shown in FIG. 2C. The abutment removal tool screw112 forces the abutment removal insert tool 110 into the groove 328 inthe bore 326 of the abutment 104. The abutment removal tool insert 110is prevented from rotating by securing the insert 110 by a wrench thatcauses the screw 112 to push against the bottom of the inside of theimplant 102 when the abutment removal tool screw 112 is turned. Theresulting downward force applied by the screw 112 against the implant102 frees the abutment 104 from the implant 102.

The abutment removal tool screw 112 is shown in FIGS. 9A-9C where FIG.9A is a perspective view of the abutment removal tool screw 112, FIG. 9Bis a side view of the abutment removal tool screw 112, and FIG. 9C is afront view of the abutment removal tool screw 112. The abutment removaltool screw 112 includes a proximal end 902 and a distal end 904. Theproximal end 902 includes a grip section 906 that includes a ridgedouter surface that allows a grip for turning the abutment removal toolscrew 112. The grip section 906 may also be mated with a torqueimparting tool such as a wrench to turn the abutment removal tool screw112. The grip section 906 is connected to a thread section 908 thatincludes exterior threads 910 that may be engaged with a threadedinterior surface of the abutment removal insert tool 110 shown in FIGS.10A-10E. The thread section 908 is connected to a shaft 912 that extendsto the distal end 904.

FIGS. 10A-10E show the abutment removal insert tool 110 where FIG. 10Ais a perspective view of the abutment removal insert tool 110, FIG. 10Bis a side view of the abutment removal insert tool 110, FIG. 10C is across-section side view of the abutment removal insert tool 110 alongthe line 10C-10C′ in FIG. 10B, FIG. 10D is a front view of the abutmentremoval insert tool 110, and FIG. 10E is a back view of the abutmentremoval insert tool 110. The abutment removal insert tool 110 includes adistal end 1000 and a proximal end 1002. A multi-sided interface 1004 isformed on the distal end 1000 to provide an interface for a wrench. Acylinder 1006 extends from the distal end 1000 to the proximal end 1002.The cylinder 1006 forms an interior bore 1008. Two long notches 1010 arccut from the proximal end 1002 and two short notches 1012 are cut fromthe proximal end 1002 over part of the length of the cylinder 1006. Anannular protrusion 1014 extends out from the cylinder 1006 at themembers formed by the notches 1010 and 1012. The end of the interiorbore 1008 on the proximal end 1002 includes an interior threaded surface1020.

The process of removing the abutment 104 from the implant 102 using theabutment removal tool screw 112 and the abutment removal insert tool 110is shown in FIGS. 11A-11E. FIG. 11A shows the abutment 104 and theimplant 102 prior to connecting the abutment 104 to the implant 102 viathe screw 106. FIG. 11B shows the abutment 104 has been assembled to theimplant 102 with an abutment screw 106. If it is desired to remove theabutment 104, the abutment screw 106 is removed with a driver tool suchas a screwdriver. After the abutment screw 106 is removed, the abutment104 is stuck to the implant 102 due to excessive side contact and/orinterference from the interface described above with reference to FIGS.4 and 5. As explained above, the abutment removal insert tool 110 inconjunction with the abutment removal tool screw 112 are used to removethe abutment 104 from the implant 102.

FIG. 11C shows the placement of the abutment removal insert tool 110 inthe abutment 104. The protrusions 1014 at the distal end 1000 of theabutment removal insert tool 110 shown in FIG. 10A engage the groove 328within the through-bore 326 of the abutment 104 shown in FIG. 3C. Theabutment removal tool screw 112 is inserted in the interior bore 1008 ofthe abutment removal insert tool 110 and through the through-bore 326 ofthe abutment 104. The insertion of the abutment removal tool screw 112in the interior bore 1008 of the abutment removal insert tool 110 forcesthe protrusions 1014 against the groove 328 thereby fixing the abutmentremoval insert tool 110 to the abutment 104.

FIG. 11D shows the resulting placement of the abutment removal toolscrew 112 into the abutment removal insert tool 110. The exteriorthreads 910 of the thread section 908 engage the interior threadedsurface 1020 of the abutment removal insert tool 110. The distal end1000 of the removal tool screw 112 is inserted through the interior bore1008 of the abutment removal insert tool 110 to the implant 102.

FIG. 11E shows the abutment removal insert tool 110 held with a wrench1100 so that it and/or the implant 102 cannot rotate. A user then maygrip the grip section 906 of the abutment removal tool screw 112 to turnthe abutment removal tool screw 112. The distal end 1000 of the abutmentremoval tool screw 112 will contact the internal aspect of the implant102. The resulting contact to the implant 102 will then apply a verticalforce to the abutment 104 in relation to the implant 102 as furthertorque is applied to the abutment removal tool screw 112 translatedthrough the thread section 908 to the interior threaded surface 1020 ofthe abutment removal insert tool 110. The abutment removal tool screw112 is turned until the abutment 104 is freed from the implant 102.

Alternate designs may be made for each of the components shown inFIG. 1. For example, a different shaped driver tool may be used for thedriver tool 108 such as the driver tool 1200 shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B,where FIG. 12A is a perspective view of the implant driver tool 1200 andFIG. 12B is a close up view of the implant driver tool 1200 shown inFIG. 12A. The implant driver tool 108 includes a first end 1202 and aworking end 1204 that is adapted to fit within the bore 210 of theimplant 102. The first end 1202 includes a wrench interface 1206 that isspaced from a shaft 1208 to form an annular groove 1210. A resilientring, such as an O-ring (not shown) is seated in the annular groove 1210to help retain the implant driver tool 1200 in proper engagement with atorque wrench. The working end 1204 of the implant driver tool 1200 hasa hexagonal male geometry driving portion 1220 adapted to mate with thesocketed interior surface 220 of the anti-rotation cavity 214 of theimplant 102.

FIG. 12B is a close up view of the implant driver tool 1200 shown inFIG. 12A showing a friction fit tapered nose 1222 that replaces the tips822 shown in FIG. 8C. The tapered nose 1222 fits within the counter bore212 of the implant 102 and serves to hold the implant driver tool 1200to the implant 102 to allow a user to manipulate the implant 102 whilemaintaining sterility of the implant 102. The advantage of the shape ofthe tapered nose 1222 is ease of manufacture of the implant driver tool108.

The implant driver tool 1200 shown in FIGS. 12A-12B may have alternativefeatures of the tip to engage the implant to provide torque to theimplant 102. An alternative tapered nose section 1250 is shown FIG. 12Cwhich is a close up view of the tapered nose 1250 of the implant drivertool shown in FIG. 12A and FIG. 12D is a front view of the tip of thealternate tip configuration in FIG. 12C. Like elements are labeled withlike element numbers in FIGS. 12C and 12D. The working end 1204 of theimplant driver tool has a hexagonal male geometry driving portion 1220adapted to mate with the socketed interior surface 220 of theanti-rotation cavity 214 of the implant 102. The alternative taperednose 1250 has a circular bore 1252 as shown in FIG. 12D. The circularbore 1252 provides a reduction of the cross-sectional moment of inertiaand reduces the stiffness of the tapered nose 1250 to decrease excessivecontact between the tip and the implant 102.

FIG. 13A is a perspective view of an alternative implant driver tool1300 that may be used instead of the implant driver tool 108 shown inFIG. 1. FIG. 13B is a side view of the implant driver tool 1300. Theimplant driver tool 1300 is adapted to mate with an anti-rotation cavityin an implant. When the implant driver tool 1300 is mated with theimplant, the driver tool 1300 may be rotated to drive a threadedexterior surface of the implant into the bone. The implant driver tool1300 includes a first end 1310 and a working end 1312 that is adapted tofit within the bore of an implant. The first end 1310 is a grip sectionthat includes a wrench interface 1314 that is spaced from a conicaltransition section 1316 to form an annular groove 1318. A resilientring, such as an O-ring 1320, is seated in the annular groove 1318 tohelp retain the implant driver tool 1300 in proper engagement with atorque wrench. The implant driver tool 1300 has a shaft 1322 having aproximal end coupled to the grip section of the first end 1310 and adistal end that forms the working end 1312. The distal end of the shaft1322 includes a hexagonal male geometry driver section 1330 adapted tomate with a socketed interior surface of the anti-rotation cavity of theimplant. The contact between the driver section 1330 and the socketedinterior surface of the implant allows the transition of torque forcefrom the driver tool 1300 to the implant.

The wrench interface 1314 of the implant driver tool 1300 in thisexample has a four sided exterior surface to interface with a torquewrench that may be used to provide torque to turn the implant drivertool 1300 and thereby the implant to engage the threads on the exteriorsurface with the bone to seat the implant. In order to maintain sterileconditions, the implant is generally packed in a sterile package. Thedriver section 1330 includes an end that is inserted in the bore of theimplant to allow a user to hold the combined driver tool 1300 andattached implant. The user may therefore use the implant driver tool1300 to move the implant into the desired location in the bone withoutcontacting the implant.

FIG. 13C is a close up view of the end of the driver section 1330 of theimplant driver tool 1300 shown in FIG. 13B. FIG. 13D is a close up frontview of the driver section 1330 along the line 13D-13D′ in FIG. 13C. Thedriver section 1330 has six tabs 1332 that extend out from the body ofthe driver section 1330. The six tabs 1332 are formed between sidewalls1334 that contact similar surfaces in the socketed interior surface ofthe implant to connect the driver 1300 with the implant. The tabs 1332are inserted in slots that are formed on the socket interior surfacethat provide additional contact between the driver 1300 and the implant.The driver section 1330 therefore has six points of contact in the formof the sidewalls 1334 as well as additional contacts from the six tabs1332 contacting corresponding slots in the socket portion of theimplant.

While particular implementations and applications of the presentdisclosure have been illustrated and described, it is to be understoodthat the present disclosure is not limited to the precise constructionand compositions disclosed herein and that various modifications,changes, and variations can be apparent from the foregoing descriptionswithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as definedin the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dental implant system, comprising: an implantincluding: a cylindrical body having an interior bore formed between adistal end and a proximal end; an abutment interface on the proximal endof the cylindrical body, the interface including a flat annular stopsurface circumferentially bordering the interior bore; and ananti-rotational cavity formed in the interior bore between the distalend and the abutment interface; an abutment including: a stem; a postopposite of the stem; an interior bore formed through the stem and thepost; an interface section between the post and the stem for interfacingwith the dental implant, the interface section having an annular radialexterior surface between the post and the stem, the annular radialexterior surface having a transition surface terminating into a circularflat surface, the stem extending from the circular flat surface, thecircular flat surface contacting the flat annular stop surface of thedental implant, and the transition surface interfacing with an interiormating surface of the dental implant; and an annular groove having atleast one surface cut into the circular flat surface to allow compliantfit of the interface section with the abutment interface of the implantwhen the abutment is inserted in the implant.
 2. The dental implantsystem of claim 1, further including: an implant driver tool including atip to hold the dental implant, wherein the interior bore of the dentalimplant includes a counter-bore between the distal end and theanti-rotational cavity, the counter-bore having a narrower diameter thanthe anti-rotational cavity and sufficient to accept the tip of theimplant driver tool to hold the dental implant to the implant drivertool via frictional contact with the counter-bore.
 3. The dental implantsystem of claim 1, wherein the abutment interface further includes aradial annular interior surface bordering the interior bore.
 4. Thedental implant system of claim 1, further including an external screwthread on the exterior of the cylindrical body.
 5. The dental implantsystem of claim 1, wherein the interior bore of the dental implantincludes a second cavity including internal screw threads to accept ascrew attaching the implant to the abutment.
 6. The dental implantsystem of claim 5, wherein the anti-rotation cavity has a polygonalinterior wall.
 7. The dental implant system of claim 6, wherein theinterior wall of the cavity forms a double sided hexagonal socket forattachment to the abutment.
 8. A dental restoration system comprising:an implant for attachment to a jaw bone of a patient; the implantincluding: a cylindrical body having an interior bore formed between adistal end and a proximal end; an abutment interface on the proximal endof the cylindrical body, the abutment interface including an interiorinterface surface and a flat annular stop surface circumferentiallybordering the interior bore; an anti-rotational cavity formed in theinterior bore between the distal end and the abutment interface; and anabutment including: a stem; a post opposite the stem; an interior boreformed through the stem and the post; and an implant interface sectionbetween the post and the stem, the implant interface section interfacingwith the abutment interface of the dental implant, the implant interfacesection including an exterior surface between the post and the stem, anda circular flat surface, wherein the circular flat surface has a grooveextending into the implant interface section to provide compliant fitwhen the exterior surface of the implant interface section contacts theinterior interface surface of the abutment interface of the implant andthe flat annular stop surface of the abutment interface contacts thecircular flat surface of the abutment.
 9. The dental restoration systemof claim 8, wherein the abutment interface includes a radial annularinterior surface circumferentially bordering the interior bore.